Thomas b



(No Medel.)

T. B. SEIBERT.

TONGUE SUPPORT.

Pa ntedApr. 6, 1886.

' 1.7V VEN T OR.

WIYWESSES.

N; PETERS. PimoLit wwMn Washington. D, C.

UNITED STATES ATENT Orricn.

THOMAS E. SEIBERT, OF WAYNE, MARION GOUNTY, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ULYSSES G. GLIDEWELL, OF SAME PLACE.

TONGUE-SUPPORT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 339,335, dated April 6. 1886.

Application filed February 10, L SG. Serial No. 191,408. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS B. Scream, of the township of Wayne, county of Marion, and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Shaft- Support and Anti-Rattler, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my said invention is to provide a cheap, simple, and efficient supporter for the shafts and tongues of vehicles, which can be readily applied to any construction of shaft or tongue, and which will also act as an efficient anti-rattler for the shaft-coupling. l accomplish this objectby providing a curved Spring of substantially the same form as the lower end of the shaft or tongue with which it is to be used, and forming in one end an elongated bolt hole or slot, for adjustably securing it in position, and on the other end a curved-out semicircular-shaped part for insen tion in the coupling, this formation affording a seat to receive and bear upon the corner of the axle-clip when the shafts are raised, and thus support them in an elevated position, as well as a part to bear against the front of said clip when said shafts are pulled down and prevent any rattle, as will be hereinafter more particularly described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof, and on which similar letters of reference indicate similar parts, Figure 1. is aside elevation of a portion of a vehicle provided with my invention; Fig. 2, a top or plan view of a portion of a shaft and axle to which it is coupled, having my invention secured in position thereon, said shaft being represented in a horizontal. position; Fig. 3, a central longitudinal. section through the same on the dotted line 34 in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 a similar view, except that the shaft is in an elevated position.

In said drawings, the portions marked A represent the axle, B the shafts, and 0 my improved shaft-support and anti-rattler.

The axle A and shafts B are or may be of any form desired, my invention being adapted for use in connection with any form of shaftor tongue.

The combined shaft-support and anti-rattler O is simply a straightpiece of spring metal curved to conform to the shape of the shaft or tongue. It is provided with a slot, 0, in its upper end, by which it is secured in position,

it being usually secured by one of the bolts b, which secure the shaft-iron. By means of this slot the device is adapted to be placed on any shaft already constructed, without making any new hole for its bolt, and can also be very easily adjusted to the exact position desired to render it most efficient in performing its functions. Its lower end is curved out at considerable of an angle to the main part, and then around, forming substantially a semicircular-shaped part, c, which is inserted in the thill-coupliug between the end of the shaftiron and the axle-clip a, it being formed of substantially the same width as said shaftiron, and thus when in position is held from lateral movement by said coupling, thereby avoiding the necessity of more than one securing-bolt at its upper end.

The operation is as follows: My invention being properly adjusted in position and the shafts or tongue being raised, as in Figs. 1 and 4, the curved-out portion 0 turns down past the corner of the axle-clip, and brings the seat or hollow formed by the top side of said part and lower end of the main portion of the spring into engagement with the front corner of said clip, as shown in said figures, thereby 8o throwing a portion of the strain of supporting said shafts or tongue directly upon the longitudinal strength of the spring, as well as upon its spring force. \Vhen turned down into the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the back of the part c of said spring bears against the front of the axle-clip, as shown, and thus said shaft is held tightly against the couplingbolt, and rattling thus prevented.

I am aware that springs have been before used forthis purpose, and that springs of a somewhat similar form have been secured to the under side of the shaft and coiled up around into the coupling. I do not therefore desire to be understood as claiming the spring, 9 5 broadly, but limit myself to the form and construction herein shown and claimed.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. Acombinedshalt-supportandanti-rattler jnsted, and a curved-out portion, a, on its consisting of a spring sevnred to the top of lower end, whereby it is adapted to act as a the shaft and extending back into the coupling shaft-support and anti-rattler, substantially as I 5 atitslowerend, said lowerend havingacurved- I set forth.

5 out part formed thereon, whereby, when said l In witness whereof I have hereunto set my shafts are raised, the hollow formed atthe top hand and seal, at Indianapolis, Indiana, this of said curved-out part will engage with the 3d day of February, A. D. 1886.

corner of the axle-clip, substantially as del scribed, and for the purposes specified. THOHAS SEIBERT' IO 2. The combination of the shaft or tongue In presence of- A and the spring 0, said spring having a slot, I G. BRADFORD, c, in its upper end, whereby it maybe ad- CHARLES L. THURBER. 

